Researcher

Gert Van Hecken

Research Expertise:My research focuses on the politics of knowledge in conservation and development, on critiques of neoliberal natures and ‘green economy’ proposals, as well as on alternative (transformational) paradigms, social movements and processes related to degrowth, and decolonial approaches to social-ecological futures. More specifically, I focus on the social and environmental justice aspects of climate change and ecosystem service policies in ‘development’ contexts, such as carbon and biodiversity markets, payments for ecosystem services (PES), and green microfinance. Most of my research has focused on Central- and South America, using different strategies mostly inspired by processes of participatory action research. My theoretical approach is interdisciplinary and draws largely from the fields of political ecology, ecological economics, and critical geography.

Keywords:NICARAGUA, DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH, ECOSYSTEM SERVICES, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, DEFORESTATION, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION, Other technical sciences

Disciplines:Conservation and biodiversity, Ecosystem services, Natural resource management, Agricultural land management and planning, Agricultural systems analysis and modelling, Forest protection, Silviculture and agroforestry, Agricultural and natural resource economics, environmental and ecological economics, Cultural economics, economic sociology, economic anthropology, Development planning and policy, Anthropology of economy and development, Ecological anthropology, Sociology and social studies of science and technology, Sociology of development, Social movements and collective action, Social geography

Research techniques:Empirically, most of my research has been focused on Central- and South America, using multi-disciplinary and mixed methods approaches (qualitative interviews and evaluations; focus groups; participatory action research; simulation and role-playing games; surveys). Theoretically, my research mainly builds on insights from political ecology, ecological economics, and critical geography.

Users of research expertise:Academic research groups - International organizations - National government and NGOs working on environment, development, development aid - Media (journalists) - The broader public interested in environment/development issues